Mayor Vander Wood outlines redevelopment, public-safety and infrastructure gains in State of the City

Mayor Kent Vander Wood delivered the city’s State of the City address Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, telling residents and council that strategic planning, public-safety investments and infrastructure work are moving Wyoming forward.

In his remarks, Vander Wood said the council’s strategic plan—approved last March—has placed priority projects into three pillars: community, safety and stewardship. He said all “priority 1” objectives are either underway or complete and staff now provides quarterly progress updates and an interactive public tracking tool.

The mayor highlighted redevelopment of the former GM plant, known as Site 36, where he said construction is underway with three major employers and a multifunctional marketplace expected to open within two years. “We’re thrilled to finally see ongoing construction on this property,” Vander Wood said.

On public safety, Vander Wood noted that a voter-approved millage in 2023 has supported additional police officers and firefighters and enabled four operational fire stations and dedicated traffic‑safety patrols. He said new equipment purchased last year includes a platform fire truck to help respond to multistory fires, and the police department has increased crime‑analysis capacity and is working with a mobile crisis team to address opioid and behavioral‑health incidents. Vander Wood said the Wyoming Police Department remains accredited with CALEA, the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, one of about 770 agencies nationwide and roughly a dozen in Michigan to hold that accreditation.

The mayor described steps at the clean water plant: replacement of critical blowers over the past two years and planning for a third transmission main to increase drinking‑water flow to the city and partner communities. He identified the water agreement update with Ottawa County as a complex, near‑term item staff is finishing.

Economic and community development highlights included more than 675 building permits issued in the prior year, representing about $166 million in construction value, and approval of over 700 new housing units. Vander Wood described the City Center project and a planned 12‑foot‑wide ADA pedestrian bridge over 28th Street that will connect about 4.6 miles of new nonmotorized trail segments and tie to new housing and downtown destinations. He also announced the Godwin Mercado marketplace on 36th Street as a community gathering space focused on year‑round health and culture.

Parks and recreation accomplishments mentioned by the mayor included nearly 700 acres of parkland, more than 15 playgrounds, seven soccer locations, seven softball locations, five splash pads, the replacement playground at Kellogg’s Veil Park and new pickleball courts at Pinery Park.

Vander Wood closed by encouraging resident engagement with boards and commissions openings and by thanking city staff for delivering services. He also discussed personal health and loss: he said he began cancer treatment in June and that his wife, Bev, died after a brief illness in August; he thanked council and staff for covering his duties during that period.

The address was followed by routine council business, public comments and a series of council votes on bids, contracts and ordinance amendments.